The Spring 2017 BirdSafe Pittsburgh monitoring season has now come to an end and as we tally up our birds and look at the data, we always think it’s worthwhile to point out the interesting and new species that were found downtown this spring. As always this project could not be done without the help of our volunteers.

Many birders have noted the bizarre nature of this springs migration, with only slow, small movements of birds week after week. We noticed the same things while walking routes throughout Pittsburgh, looking for birds that had struck windows. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our volunteers we managed to find 66 birds this season (See table 1). That is slightly less than past spring seasons (43 – 2014, 81 – 2015, and 85 – 2016). 16 of the 66 found were alive and taken to the Humane Animal Rescue Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Verona. 36 species of birds were found throughout the spring including four first time species for BirdSafe Pittsburgh; Alder Flycatcher, Bobolink, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Eastern Meadowlark.

Table 1.) Total birds found during the Spring 2017 downtown monitoring season

In the off season between the Fall of 2016 and the spring of 2017, eight birds were found (see table 2.) throughout the city, including Northern Cardinal, an unknown Chickadee species, two live American Woodcocks, Rock Pigeon, two Song Sparrows, and an unknown Species. These were found between November 9^th and March 30^th. This is a reminder that even though we only monitor during the migration season, birds strike windows all year round.

Table 2.) Birds found during the off season between Fall 2016 and Spring 2017

In our first month of the monitoring season (April) we found 19 birds (see table 3). The only warblers we found in April were a Black-throated Green Warbler and a Louisiana Waterthrush. Unfortunately, only five of the birds were found alive.

Table 3.) Total birds found during April of 2017

In our Second month of the season (May) we found a whopping 38 birds (see figure 4). 20 different species were found in May including some interesting species such as Alder Flycatcher, Bobolink, Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Among these 38 birds only seven were found alive, one of which had to be one of the strangest calls we have received at BirdSafe Pittsburgh. An individual had ridden her bike into town and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo had struck a window and landed on her bike handlebars! Fortunately, the woman was more than willing to help, and she kept the bird safe until it was transported to the Humane Animal Rescue Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

(Yellow-billed Cuckoo. This bird struck a window in downtown Pittsburgh and then landed on a bicyclists handlebars.)

Table 1.) Total birds found during May of monitoring season

Now those of you with keen math skills might have noticed that those numbers only add up to 65 when we have 66 birds listed as our total. That’s because we had one incidental find, a stunned Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, after our spring season ended. Fortunately, our volunteers managed to get the bird safely to the wildlife center.

Thanks to all of our volunteers for helping to make this slow migration season a successful one.

October 25 – November 3, 2016

First a thank you!

Week 8 concludes our fall 2016 monitoring season and we would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who give up their early mornings to look for birds in our city. They help us collect our data, transport birds to rehabilitation, and are a constant supply of information for new threats for birds within the city. This project would not be what it is today or have acquired nearly as much data as we have without the endless help of our volunteers.

This week only 10 birds were found throughout the city (table 1.) . The birds were also found spaced out throughout the week with only 1 or 2 birds being found on several of the days (table 2.). This followed what was forecast by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology BirdCast as bird movement in the area began to slow around the end of last week (10/21) and through that weekend. The warm weather that followed in the beginning to middle of the work week (10/25-10/27) continued to slow movement. By the end of the week (10/28) movement began picking up again and more birds were found through the weekend and into this week. All of the birds were found within 3 routes with 3 birds being found outside of designated routes (table 3.). Unfortunately only 2 of the 10 birds found were alive (table 4.)

Table 1.) Total number of birds found between 10/25/2016-11/03/2016

Table 2.) Number of birds found on each day from 10/25/2016-11/03/2016

Table 3.) Total number of birds found in each route between 10/25/2016-11/03/2016

Table 4.) Number of dead versus live birds found from 10/25/2016-11/03/2016

Keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for a summation of the fall 2016 monitoring season. For information on how to get involved or volunteer, email birdsafepgh@gmail.com for more info. Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@birdsafepgh) and Twitter (@birdsafePGH) as well!

Dead birds are taken to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and become specimens in the Section of Birds.

Live birds are transported to the Animal Rescue League’s Wildlife Center for rehabilitation and release.

 October 18 – 24 2016

This week we only found 7 birds total!  As was predicted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birdcast This week was a slow one.  We only had 7 birds total from 7 species (table 1).  Also as predicted the work week was very slow with Wednesday the 19th being the only day during the workweek that a bird was found (table 2).  The other 6 birds were found on Saturday and Sunday the 23rd-24th.  All seven birds were found in relatively close proximity within 3 routes and by the same volunteer (table 3)!  We continue our large ratio of dead vs live birds from last week to this week with only 1 live bird and 6 dead (table 4).

Cornell Lab of Ornithology BirdCast has forecast a decrease in migration next week.  after a large cold system comes through over the weekend bringing precipitation and more autumn-like weather we will have a few days of favorable conditions for bird movement.  That will come to a halt around the middle of the work week when another disturbance comes through the area.  By the end of the week favorable conditions should come back to our area increasing bird movement and potential bird strikes.

Table 1.) Total number of birds found between 10/18/2016-10/24/2016

Table 2.) Bird strikes found between 10/18/2016-10/24/2016

Table 3.) Bird strikes found in each route between 10/18/2016-10/24/2016

Table 4.) Number of dead vs live birds found between 10/18/2016-10/24/2016

Keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for continued updates throughout the fall season.  For information on how to get involved or volunteer, email birdsafepgh@gmail.com for more info.  Make sure to follow us on Instagram (@birdsafepgh) and Twitter (@birdsafePGH) as well!

Dead birds are taken to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and become specimens in the Section of Birds.

Live birds are transported to the Animal Rescue League’s Wildlife Center for rehabilitation and release.